In 1986 he moved to Flamengo and won the National Championship in the following year. Then in 1988 Renato moved abroad, signing with A.S. Roma. However, he failed to settle in Italy and returned to Flamengo after only one disappointing season, in time to win one more trophy, the Brazil Cup, in 1990.

Renato's career in Fluminense is generally associated to his belly goal in the Campeonato Carioca of 1995, against Flamengo, in the year when Flamengo celebrated 100 years. With his goal he was crowned the King of Rio in that year. In the same year, he led Flu to the semi-finals of the Brazilian Championship.

In 1986, while preparing for the FIFA World Cup Finals in Mexico, Renato was dropped from the squad by coach Tele Santana for disciplinary reasons, primarily partying late and missing training. As a result, his team-mate and close friend Leandro also withdrew from the squad on the eve of Brazil's departure for Mexico. Leandro's replacement at right-back was Edson, who was injured in the second World Cup match and was then replaced by the relatively unknown Josimar of Botofogo, who became one of the stars of the tournament.

He has been working as a coach since 2000.[3] He was Madureira's coach in 2000 and 2001. Between September 2, 2002 and July 11, 2003, and between October 1, 2003 and December 28, 2003, he was coach of Fluminense. From July 2005 to April 2007 he was Vasco da Gama's coach.

Since April 2007, he is Fluminense's coach again. On June 6, 2007 he won the Brazil Cup as Fluminense's coach, his first title in the new career. However, he failed to win the Copa Libertadores as Fluminense was defeated in a penalty shootout to underdogs LDU from Ecuador.[4] On August 10, 2008 Renato was sacked as manager of Fluminense Football Club. His sacking followed an 2–1 defeat to the Brasileirão's bottom side, Ipatinga which left them joint-bottom of the table.[5] On September 18, 2008, he was hired as Vasco's manager.[6]Fluminense have hired former Vasco da Gama coach Renato Gaúcho on July 21, 2009 he replaces Carlos Alberto Parreira, who was sacked in July 2009, Renato has already coached Fluminense twice before (in 2002–2003 and again in 2007–2008).[7] On September 1, 2009 Fluminense club officials have fired the coach due to poor results.

Being the first choice of the sponsor, who intervened with the presidency of the club. Renato was chosen again as coach of Fluminense. being his fifth spell at the club from Laranjeiras.[8]

On August 10, 2010 Grêmio confirmed Renato was their new coach, two days after the sacking of their former coach Silas. He tried to start a good season, but in his debut the team lost to Goiás and was eliminated from the 2010 Copa Sudamericana on the Second Stage. Fortunately, in the 2010 Brazilian League Grêmio ended in 4th place and consequently qualified to 2011 Copa Libertadores. Afterward, Renato did not do a great season on 2011. His team lost the 2011 Campeonato Gaúcho finals to their rival Internacional and was the runner-up. Grêmio was also eliminated from the 2011 Copa Libertadores on the Round of 16, losting to Chilean club Universidad Católica. All of that disappointed himself and Grêmio's President Paulo Odone. He coached some matches of the 2011 Brazilian League, however their performance wasn't good, and Renato resigned on June 30.

Even after being two years without coaching any club, Renato was the first choice of Fábio Koff, president of Grêmio, to succeed Vanderlei Luxemburgo as the new coach of Grêmio. On July 2, 2013 the coach signed with the club and was presented to more than 5,000 supporters in Grêmio Arena.

1Placar started to give this prize to the best grade holder at Bola de Prata since 1973. In its 2013 ceremonies, a Bola de Ouro was given to Dirceu Lopes, holder of the best 1971 grade. Francisco Reyes and Elías Figueroa, holders of 1970 and 1972 ones respectively, have not been announced as these years' winners yet.